The SPAN Youth Hub

Being a self-advocate means understanding what you need and feeling comfortable speaking up about it. At school, self-advocacy can help youth take a more active role in their education and make sure their voices are heard. This might include asking questions, sharing concerns, or explaining what helps them learn best.

We are excited to share a great opportunity from New Jersey's Division of Civil Rights. DCR Launches 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Program DCR invites high school students with a passion for civil rights to apply to the 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Program. This 9-month program empowers the next generation to work to eliminate bias and discrimination in their communities. DCR offers Youth Ambassadors mentorship, education, and leadership opportunities to encourage students to act as community change agents through education on the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Participants will attend youth ambassador bi-monthly Monday evening meetings that will be tailored to participants’ civil rights-related interests. Applications are due by Sunday, September 20, 2026. Click here for program overview: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-2027-Youth-Ambassador-Program.pdf Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/4A5xjaa

  Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September (Sept 7th in 2026) to recognize workers and the important jobs they do. From teachers and healthcare workers to construction workers and store employees, workers help our communities run every day. The holiday gives us a chance to appreciate their time, effort, and contributions. Labor Day also reminds us that workers deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, reasonable hours, and respect. Many workers fought for these rights so that workplaces could become safer and fairer. For youth, the holiday is a chance to learn about workers’ rights and consider what fairness and inclusion should look like in their future jobs. As youth begin thinking about future jobs and careers, Labor Day can also be a reminder to speak up for themselves and others in the workplace. Everyone, including workers with disabilities, should have equal opportunities, needed accommodations, and the chance to succeed. By learning about these rights now, ...

We are excited to share a great opportunity from our partners at the National Disability Institute (NDI). NDI is hosting an in-person Financial Wellness Training  event at The College of New Jersey on September 15–17, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will learn how to deliver effective financial wellness education to people with disabilities and their support networks. Please see the flyer below for more details. Register here: https://ndiinc.formstack.com/forms/fall2026_njtraining

A comfort zone is a place, situation, or routine where you feel safe, familiar, and confident. Staying within your comfort zone can feel comfortable because you know what to expect. However, always sticking with what feels familiar can sometimes make it harder to discover new interests, experiences, and abilities.

Learning new skills can help young adults become more confident, independent, and prepared for the future. While it is definitely helpful to build strong skills in one area, exploring different interests can create even more opportunities. Every new skill can become a useful tool for school, work, hobbies, and everyday life.

Lifelong learning, or continuous learning, can be defined as the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of learning, for either personal or professional reasons. Learning doesn't stop when school ends. In fact, some of the most important lessons happen through everyday experiences, hobbies, jobs, and meeting new people.

Finding a creative outlet can help youth express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Creativity can take many forms, including drawing, writing, music, photography, cooking, dancing, crafting, or making videos. There is no single right way to be creative, just following what comes to mind works best.

Adaptive sports are typical sports and games modified or specifically designed for individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. They utilize specialized equipment—like sports wheelchairs, handcycles, and sit-skis—or altered rules to allow full, safe participation.

The ACCESS Lab at Washington University in St. Louis is conducting a study called the EMBody study to test a brief digital program for teens who have concerns with their body image and their eating. The ACCESS Lab wants to hear from you or your teen! If eligible, you or your teen will be asked to complete 3 online surveys and will gain access to the digital program. You or your teen may be compensated up to $45 for your time. You or your teen may be eligible to participate if you/they: Are 13-19 years old Are a U.S. resident and speak English To read more about getting involved, and to take a 5-minute eligibility screen go to  https://washu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0PX2BXw3bYrT1rM?Source=SPAN  or contact study coordinator: Nathalie Gullo (E)  accesslab@wustl.edu  or 314-626-0245

Artificial intelligence (AI) has often been looked at as entirely negative, being seen as a potential threat to art, writing, and music. However, there are many helpful uses for people with disabilities. Programs like ChatGPT can make everyday tasks easier by offering features like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, live captions, language translation, image descriptions for people with limited vision, and voice assistants that help with reminders, directions, and answering questions.

Everyone faces challenges and setbacks in life. For young adults, this might mean having trouble in school, not making a team, or dealing with personal problems. These situations can be frustrating and disappointing. But even though setbacks can be difficult, they do teach important lessons. They help us learn how to solve problems, stay patient, and find new ways to reach our goals. 

As many of us sit glued to our TVs watching the World Cup, a new article from Rutgers shares an interesting guide for people with disabilities, who want to enjoy the tournament to the fullest. Leveling the Field: Accessible World Cup Experiences for All New Jersey Fans This article, “Leveling the Field: Accessible World Cup Experiences for All New Jersey Fans,” was published on the website of the The Community Living Education Project (CLEP), a program affiliated with Rutgers University that provides information and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This article is a great guide that highlights accessible seating, transportation, sensory-friendly spaces, and inclusive fan events, showing how major sporting events can still be enjoyed by everyone. In addition, helpful tips for planning ahead and finding accommodations are included. For any fútbol fans from the Garden State, this is the guide for you! You can read the full article ...

We have an exciting new resource to share, from our friends at the Arc!  The Arc and AT&T have joined forces on a nationwide program that is bringing digital skills training to people with disabilities and their families. Digital literacy is critical in today’s world to learn, apply for jobs, be socially connected, and more. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, people with disabilities are three times more likely to not go online than people without disabilities. ( Digital Literacy , The ARC, 2026) Access Training Online Training sessions are offered online free of charge and available 24/7 to complete at your own pace. Modules cover a range of topics, including: Getting started with a computer Introduction to email Navigating a website Using a mobile device Online safety, passwords, fraud, and scams And more! Check out the courses here:  https://att.digitallearn.org/

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate identity, self-expression, and the many contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that many people still face because of misunderstandings, stereotypes, and discrimination.    

As the school year comes to an end, many youth and young adults begin thinking about how they want to spend their summer. For some, summer is a time to relax and recharge, while for others it is a chance to explore new opportunities, build skills, and set personal goals.    

Graduation is an important milestone for youth and young adults. It marks the end of one stage of life, and the start of something new. While graduation can feel exciting, it can also bring questions and uncertainty about what comes next.    

Young adults with disabilities are making a difference in schools, workplaces, and communities every day. Through their own leadership, creativity, and determination, they are speaking up about important issues and helping create more inclusive environments for everyone. Their voices and experiences continue to inspire positive change.    

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to recognize how important mental health is in our everyday lives. It reminds us that our thoughts, feelings, and emotional well-being matter just as much as our physical health. For youth and young adults, especially those with disabilities, taking time to understand and care for mental health can make a meaningful difference in building confidence, independence, and overall quality of life.    

The transition to adulthood is an important milestone, filled with new opportunities, responsibilities, and decisions. For youth and young adults—especially those with disabilities—this period can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Having the right tools and a clear timeline in place can make a meaningful difference, helping to turn uncertainty into a structured and manageable process.